Chapter Text
Hope's POV
As I watched the scenery pass me by from the back of my parent's car, I couldn't help, but wonder what this new year would bring. I just recently graduated from Norwood High School this past spring, and now I was currently on my way to New Orleans to attend University. I don't know what made me choose New Orleans, as weird as it may sound, it felt like the city was just calling to me.
"Now remember if you get homesick, call me and I'll answer no matter what time it is, " my mother said as she looked at me through the rear-view mirror.
"I know mom" I replied mentally sighing.
When I first started the process of looking at colleges, my parents were so adamant about me choosing either a community college or at least a university near home, which I must admit is what I wanted to do from the very beginning. However, when I stumbled across the University of New Orleans, I was immediately drawn to it. I think maybe it's because it's the city where my parents adopted me from, so this sort of gives me a chance to try and reconnect somewhat with my unknown past. It took a lot of convincing before my mom would agree to it, my father was a little apprehensive but, in the end, agreed to it because he thought it would give me a chance to become more open with people
"Sweetheart, just please remember that not everything is about studying go out and have fun. After all, New Orleans has lots to offer when it comes to having fun" Dad said, causing mom to glare at him and me to chuckle.
"So, I have permission from my father to go out and party at night, every teenager's dream come true," I said a little sarcastically with a small smile.
"You know what I mean, just promise me you'll try and make friends. I just don't want to see you as lonely as you were in High School" Dad said.
"I promise, I'll try" I replied, not believing college will be any different than high school because all people care about is social status and bullying those who they deem inferior to them.
"Here we are," my mother said as we entered the city.
It was more beautiful than I could ever imagine, all around us were people playing instruments or doing other various activities that you wouldn't normally see in everyday life. I couldn't believe at one point this magnificent city was my home once and now for the next 4 years, it will be once again. It brought such a smile to my face.
After having to stop to fill up the car, we finally arrived at the university. We were soon met by a couple of students, male and female, who were assigned to help incoming students move into their dorm rooms.
The female came right up to my parents and shook their hands
"Hi and let me be the first to welcome you and your daughter to the University of New Orleans, my name is Tess and this is Zak. We'll be showing you to the dormitories and helping with whatever you need to have a smooth transition."
Zak then turned to me and asked "What is your name"
"Hope Winters."
He went through the list he had on his clipboard.
"Alright, it looks like you'll be staying in Martha's Hall, so let us help your belongings and we show you the way."
Tess and Zak talked about all the usual stuff we already knew when we came out for orientation the month previous, where the dining hall was, recreational activities, and so on and so on.
I wasn't paying too much attention; I was busy just taking in all the surroundings. It was different a month ago when we just came for a visit, but now it's starting to settle in for me that my parents would be going back home without me tonight. I would be all alone living with a stranger.
I was going to be rooming with a girl named Kingsley Matthews, who is also an art major, we emailed a few times since the room assignments came in, but I haven't heard from her in weeks. I wasn't surprised it was only a matter of time before she decided I wasn't worth her time. At least this way I wasn't going to set myself up for disappointment when we finally met in person.
Eventually, we came to my room, which was on the third floor of Martha's Hall. I was surprised the room was much bigger than we were shown.
"Looks like you girls will have plenty of space, I wonder when your roommate will arrive" Mom wondered as she started to open up some of the boxes.
Tess then looked at us in confusion "Roommate? your daughter's name was on the list for those who would be in a single room for the year."
"I got a roommate assignment just a few weeks ago, her name is Kingsley Matthews," I said, both a little relieved and confused over the sudden change in room status.
Tess then turned to Zak and told him to find out what was going on with the situation, while she stayed to help us set up some of the furniture.
After a while, Zak came back and informed us that a mix-up had happened just a week before. Kingsley Matthews decided to no longer attend and informed the school last minute, and when they took her off the list, apparently something in the system switched the room assignment for me to a single room. At this point it was too late, to switch at least until the next school year.
My parents were visibly disappointed, but I was secretly relieved.
Eventually, we got everything in my room settled to my liking, and decided to go out to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
"You know the school should have mentioned this to us when they found out, I have half a mind to go and say something to whichever program is in charge of this stuff." Mom said, fuming over the situation.
I rolled my eyes as I handed the menu back to the waiter "Mom it's not a big deal, it works out for me you know I wanted to rent out an apartment to get to and from school that way I had space for my art."
Mom just gave me a look "We've been over this, your father and I want you to be able to socialize more, which is why we wanted you at least to live on campus your first year."
"Mom, it's college, I'm here to study, everything else would just be a distraction."
Mom just sighed; a sign she was getting irritated.
"College will not be like High School; people are more mature than they were in High School."
I raised my eyebrows at that statement, I knew adults my parent's age who still acted like they were in High School with the way they talk.
"Alright girls, let's just take it down a notch," Dad said looking between us.
"You remember the deal we made Hope, make at least one friend this school year, and we will rent you out an apartment next year."
I just looked at him as I said "I know dad, I will try. Though I don't think anything will change, you know how people in High School were."
Between the two of them, Dad was always more sympathetic to my plight, and mom was more forceful in getting me to attend school functions. Dad would usually make me at least stay for an hour before coming to pick me up and take me home much to Mom's chagrin.
It was probably one of their most constant fights throughout my time in High School. Dad didn't believe in trying to force me into things that I wasn't comfortable with, while Mom said I wouldn't make any friends by just staying at home sketching and painting all the time.
"I've always told you, there will always be one person out there who will appreciate you as you are, just got to find that person."
The food arrived, and I decided the conversation wasn't worth continuing.
Once dinner was finished, my parents took me back to my room, before deciding it was time for them to head back to their hotel. They were going to go back to Pennsylvania early in the morning. Initially, they wanted to stay for a few days, but I convinced them to just go back home sooner. I wanted to get all the tearful goodbyes done and over with.
"Call me as soon as all of your classes are over," Mom said hugging me tightly, trying miserably to hold back her tears.
"I will mom I promise," I said kissing her on her cheek and then turning towards dad, who had ended up with more tears in his eyes than mom did.
"I'm sorry, I just keep thinking about how fast time has gone, it feels like just yesterday you were just a small tiny infant in my arms and now here we are dropping you off at college," he said wiping his eyes.
I couldn't help but smile and tear up as well. I went and gave him a big hug and said "It's not forever Dad, I'll be home for Christmas break and I promise I'll call you both every day."
"You're a good girl Hope, I know you'll be just fine," Dad said with a smile.
After a few more tearful goodbyes, my parents finally left to head back to their hotel, which left me by myself.
I quietly went over to the window, where I had a wonderful view of the city.
"I hope this year will be interesting," I said smiling to myself as I continued to enjoy the wonderful view.